Back in late June, Nintendo filed a patent in the US for “Hand-held Video Game Platform Emulation”. The application was just made public today.
The core of Nintendo’s patent is about Game Boy emulation on mobile phones, PDA’s, PC, and other devices. Game Boy, Game Boy Color, and Game Boy Advance are all mentioned in the filing.
Here’s the official abstract, which should give you a pretty good idea about what this entire thing is about:
A software emulator for emulating a handheld video game platform such as GAME BOY.RTM., GAME BOY COLOR.RTM. and/or GAME BOY ADVANCE.RTM. on a low-capability target platform (e.g., a seat-back display for airline or train use, a personal digital assistant, a cell phone) uses a number of features and optimizations to provide high quality graphics and sound that nearly duplicates the game playing experience on the native platform. Some exemplary features include use of bit BLITing, graphics character reformatting, modeling of a native platform liquid crystal display controller using a sequential state machine, and selective skipping of frame display updates if the game play falls behind what would occur on the native platform.
You can find some images from the patent below. If you’d like to check out the full filing, head on over to this link. Keep in mind that patents often are filed, but are never acted upon.
A new wave of 3DS themes are now available in North America. Themes based on Pikmin, Sonic, and Shovel Knight can be purchased.
Here’s the full lineup:
Pikmin: Working Together
Pikmin: A Hungry Bulborb
Sonic the Hedgehog Theme
Amy Rose Theme
Shadow the Hedgehog Theme
Chao Theme
Sonic Bundle
Spotlight: Shovel Knight
All of the items above are priced at $1.99, except for the Sonic Bundle. That can be purchased for $5.99.
Update 2 (11/27): Currently in stock on Walmart Canada!
Update: Aaaand… gone. That sold out incredibly fast! We’ll keep you updated if it happens to return in the future.
I know some of you have been on the lookout for the GameCube Controller Adapter, and it’s currently in stock on Amazon. If you’re interested in the accessory, you can place an order here.
. We’ll update this post if the adapter goes out of stock again.
We have a couple of new file size updates for you. The Hyrule Warriors update, which launched last night, will takes up 376MB of space. Additionally, new Wii U eShop release Shiny the Firefly requires 446MB. Note that sizes may vary slightly by region.
Nintendo’s “Cyber Deals” are now live on the Wii U and 3DS eShops. For a full lineup of sales prices, check out the list below:
3DS
Mario & Luigi: Dream Team – $27.99 (was $39.99)
Luigi’s Mansion: Dark Moon – $27.99 (was $39.99)
Wario Land 2 – $3.49 (was $4.99)
Wario Land 3 – $3.49 (was $4.99)
Metroid II-Return of Samus – $2.79 (was $3.99)
Wii U
The Wonderful 101 – $20.99 (was $29.99)
Wii Party U – $27.99 (was $39.99)
Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga – $5.99 (was $7.99)
Wario Land 4 – $5.59 (was $7.99)
Metroid Fusion – $5.59 (was $7.99)
The prices above are valid until December 2 at 8:59 PM PT.
